A DVD is dropped from rest. The DVD does not reach terminal velocity before it hits the ground. Explain how the acceleration of the DVD varies from the instant it is dropped until just before it hits the ground.

In the instant when the DVD is dropped, it will have an acceleration of g, with no drag force acting on it as it is not moving. As the DVD accelerates downwards, the drag force acting on it increases and so the magnitude of the net force downwards decreases, decreasing its acceleration. The DVD does not reach terminal velocity, so in the instant before it hits the ground, it will still be accelerating downwards.

DH
Answered by Dylan H. Physics tutor

4132 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does the photoelectric effect (gold leaf experiment) demonstrate the particle nature of light?


A guitar string 0.65m long vibrates with a first harmonic frequency of 280Hz. Mary measures 1m of the string and discovers that it weighs 8.0x10^-4 kg. What is the tension in the guitar string?


a ball is dropped from rest off a cliff of height 50m, determine the final velocity of the ball assuming no air resistance.


A geostationary satellite is orbiting Earth, a) What is meant by a geostationary orbit? b) Calculate the height at which the satellite orbits above the surface of the Earth. The radius of the Earth is 6400km and its mass is 6x10^24 kg.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning